Enthusiasm marked the beginning of the preparations for the forthcoming visit of the Dalai Lama to the Sham region of the Union territory of Ladakh.

During his visit to Ladakh last summer, the Dalai Lama had expressed his desire to camp in the Sham region that is the Western Ladakh. The region comprises three areas, the west part of the Indus valley (where major monasteries such as Alchian Lamayuruare located), the Dha-Hanu valley (where the Brokpatribes live) and the Kargil district.

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Chairman and chief executive councillor of Ladakh Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Tashi Gyalson and MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal visited Zer-thang at Khaltse village to oversee the preparation and necessary arrangements ahead of the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to sham region this year.

They were accompanied by Councillor Khaltse, Lobzang Sherab; Additional DC Leh, Sonam Chosjor; president, LGA, Ven Stanzin Wangtak; vice-president Ladakh Buddhist Association, Tsering Dorjee Lakrook; members of LBA Sham region led by president, Tsewang Nurboo; Sub-Divisional officers led by SDM Khaltse, Suhail Ahmed, Executive Engineers,officials of PDD, SSD Khaltse, LDA, I&FC, PHE; Chairman, Panchayat Coordination Committee sham, and the village representatives from various villages of sham region.

Gyalson and Jamyang along with all the officials made a site visit to the Zer-thang area and reviewed plans prepared by the executing agencies. After the visit, a review meeting was conducted at Dak Bungalow, Khaltse by the officials with all the concerned departmental heads and the stakeholders including village representatives.

After all the observations and site visits, Gyalson instructed the concerned departmental heads to ensure execution of all the planned infrastructural works and required facilities well on time. Addressing the gathering, he assured that Hill Council, Leh, and UT Administration Ladakh would leave no stone unturned in ensuring smooth arrangements for a comfortable stay of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Jamyang also assured his full assistance and coordination along with the Hill Council and Administration in ensuring good arrangements ahead of His Holiness’s visit this summer. He further asked all the stakeholders to work collectively and efficiently to provide the best hospitality and to seek blessings from His Holiness during his visit to sham region this summer.

Earlier, president, LBA Sham region apprised that the people of the region would be blessed with the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama this year. He expressed his gratitude to the Chairman, LAHDC Leh, and MP Ladakh for their intervention in ensuring a smooth arrangement keeping in view the visit and stay of His Holiness at Khaltse.

He further requested to expedite all the developmental works at the site. Furthermore, President LGA and Vice President LBA also requested CEC Gyalson and MP JTN for the smooth execution of the works at the proposed site of the sermon by His Holiness during his stay at Khaltse.